History As an outgrowth of the efforts of The Reverend C. F. Sams of Key West, Florida, a national movement was initiated. On July 17, 1907, the National Meeting of Colored Primitive Baptists of America convened at the Saint Bartley Primitive Baptist Church, Huntsville, Alabama, Elder Felix Jordan, pastor. Order was called by The Reverend C. H. Morgan, moderator of the Big Harpeth Association of Tennessee. After registration of the messengers and delegates present, a unanimous vote for a temporary organization prevailed. Welcome addresses were delivered by Elder Felix Jordan on behalf of St. Bartley Primitive Baptist Church; Dr. Elias Patton, moderator of the Indian Creek Association; Professor Hopkins of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama. Responses were made by Professor B. F. Lee of Austin, Texas and Dr. J. T. Martin of North Carolina. The Introductory Sermon was preached by The Reverend C. F. Sams, D.D. from Ezekiel 33:1-2, Luke 1:1. He used as the subject "The Divine Plan of Organized Government." Through his powerful doctrinal exegesis, the formal organization was insured. Other sermons during this session were delivered by The Reverend W. J. Johnson of Corsicanna, Texas; Elder B. Mosely of Huntsville, Alabama; Dr. J. T. Martin of Winston Salem, North Carolina; The Reverend William Taylor of Dallas, Texas; The Reverend Y. Ford of Tampa, Florida; The Reverend James Carey of Charlotte, North Carolina; and The Reverend K. D. Davis of Jacksonville, Florida. A constitution was written and the objectives, UNION, PEACE, and PROGRESS were declared. The permanent organization was thus accomplished in the morning session on Friday, July 19, 1907 amid much rejoicing. The following officers were elected: President - The Rev. James H. Carey, D.D., Charlotte, North Carolina Vice Presidents - The Rev. W. J. Johnson, Corsicanna, Texas The Mack Davis, Bradfordville, Florida The Rev. C. H. Morgan, Columbia, Tennessee The Rev. L. C. Crawford, Pine Hall, Virginia The Rev. J. T. Martin, D.D., Winston Salem, North Carolina The Rev. C. H. Davis, Thomaston, Alabama The Rev. P. A. Evans, Colbert, Mississippi Secretary - Elder Elias Patton, Huntsville, Alabama During this session, The National Women's Auxiliary Convention was organized also. Officers elected were: President: Mrs. Elizabeth Bradford, Chattanooga, Tennessee Vice Presidents: Miss Beulah Smith, Alabama, Mrs. Eva B. Haynes, Florida, Mrs. Mary J. Wilson, Texas Secretary: Miss Pearl Scott, Key West Florida Treasurer: Miss Mary F. Marshall, Molina, Florida Professor A. R. Foreman of Wortham, Texas, was elected National Superintendent for the Young People and Sunday School Congress. A Board of Directors and necessary committees were established. Plans were set in motion for a Primitive Baptist Memorial Building and Primitive Baptist Aid Societies. The first annual session was held July 15-21, 1908, at the McNairy Hill Church of Nashville, Tennessee, Elder Martin Slater, pastor. During this session, the following educational institutions of colored Primitive Baptists reported: National Industrial and Theological College, Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Thomaston Academy, Thomaston, Alabama. Two new proposed institutions were presented: Griffin Industrial and Theological Seminary, Tallahassee, Florida, to open in October 1908 and Texas Primitive Baptist College. In the succeeding years, Boguechitto Institute of Boguechitto, Alabama and St. Paul Industrial Institute of Mexia, Texas came into being and provided Christian schools for the training of the children. The Memorial Building became a reality and was erected on property donated by the Indian Creek Association which also was the site of the Huntsville Graded and Industrial School (operated by the Association). This building later became the National Primitive Baptist Publishing House and remains the property of the National Primitive Baptist Convention located at 2116 Clinton Avenue, West, Huntsville, Alabama. The National Women's Auxiliary Convention was renamed the National Women's Congress.The National Young People and Sunday School Congress became the National Sunday School Congress which has evolved to be the National Church School and Training Union Congress. A National Junior Congress was organized under the auspices of the Women's Congress around 1930. This Congress became the National Youth Congress and was voted auxiliary status in 1974. The National Ushers Congress was organized in the 1950's and the National Laymen's Congress was founded in the 1960's. Presidents of the National Convention are listed in chronological order: Dr. James Carey (1907-1913); Elder W. L. Douglas (1913-1932); Elder L. W. Thomas (1932-1934); Elder William M. Scott (1942-1956); Elder Percy D. Brantley (1956-1972); Elder Forest L. Livingston (1972-1995);   Elder Thomas W. Samuels (1995 - 2005) Elder Ernest Ferrell (2005 - present) Women's Congress presidents follow: Sister Elizabeth Bradford (Tennessee); Sister Senorah Thomas (Tennessee); Sister Corine Patton (Alabama); Sister Pauline Allen (Florida - 1962-1963); Sister Essie S. Raye (North Carolina - 1963-1979); Sister Mamye C. Batts (Ohio - 1979-1988); Sister Lillian J. Brantley (Florida - 1988-1994); Sister Betty Brown (Florida - 1994-2000). Sister Ann Carter (Texas--2000-present) Presidents of the Church School Congress: Elder A. R. Foreman (Texas); Elder R. H. Frazier (North Carolina) Elder David Tolbert (Alabama - 1973-1987) Elder W. D. Judge (Florida - 1987-1993) Elder Jonathan Yates (1993 - 1995) Elder Larry Tatum (2005 - present) Presidents of the Youth Congress: Sister Senorah Thomas (Tennessee); Sister Sallie Twine (Florida) Sister Martha Rooks (Texas); Sister Flossie B.Almond (Ohio); Sister Joyce Perkins (Texas), Brother Harold Batts (Alabama - 1973 - 1983) Elder Kenneth Duke (Florida - 1983-1986) Brother Levi Freeman (Alabama -1986-1991) Brother Robert White (New Jersey - 1991-2002) Minister Jacques Moody (North Carolina-2002-present) Presidents of the Ushers Congress: Brother Givens Grier (Florida); Brother Willie Campbell (Florida); Brother Garfield Anderson (Florida); Deacon Sylvester McClendon (North Carolina 1984-1988); Brother Carl Batts (Ohio - 1988-present) Presidents of the Laymen's Council: Deacon James Warren (Florida); Deacon George W. Brown (New Jersey); Deacon Burney Battle (Alabama); Deacon Dinismore Robinson (1994 - 2005) Deacon Ben Kelly, Jr., Alabama (2005 - present) As of this time the following properties are known to be owned and operated by the National Convention, the churches, associations and state conventions which comprise the National Convention: National Publishing House - Huntsville, Alabama National Memorial Center - Plateau, Alabama Youth Camp - Worthington Springs, Florida Miracle Hill Nursing Home - Tallahassee, Florida North Carolina-Virginia Education Building - East Spencer, N.C. Acreage - Mexia, Texas R. J. Hendley Christian Academy - Riviera Beach, Florida Friendship Christian Academy - Cocoa, Florida Warren Bible Institute - Cleveland, Ohio Cumberland Association Tabernacle - Nashville, Tennessee Mallard Creek Association Tabernacle - Huntsville, Alabama Big Harpeth Association Tabernacle - Nashville, Tennessee Providence Association Tabernacle - Bastrop, Texas East Florida Association Temple - Fort Pierce, Florida Flint River & Running Water Association Tabernacle - Huntsville, Ala. Friendship Association Tabernacle - Winchester, Tennessee The list of the faithful elders and laity (male and female) of this Convention who paved the way, sacrificed for its growth and continue in the struggle to ensure its continuance unto the return of the Lord, is indeed extensive and does not appear in this summary. However, formal acknowledgment is hereby made for the life and labors of all those, both alive and deceased, who are structurally a part of the august body. - Dr. Thomas W. Samuels - August, 1997

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